Developing a consistent study routine prior to class can significantly contribute to academic achievements by effectively managing assignments and ensuring a clear understanding of course materials. Start early to form positive habits that will help you reach academic goals during the semester.
If you ever feel overwhelmed or don't know where to start, ask for help. Reach out to those cheering you on, your peers and instructors, and our office.
- Reach out early
- Remind yourself that faculty and staff are there to help you
- Utilize wellness services on our campus
- Participate in group discussions beyond your initial post to the question
- Tackle reading assignments
- Ask for clarification when you’re confused, never hesitate to ask your instructor or peers
- If there’s a study guide, go through it
- Ensure you get enough sleep before a test and set your alarm
- Take the time to review your answers before you submit
- Look for hints. Identify questions in the exam that hint at the correct answer to another question.
- If you are taking an online class, give yourself enough time to log in, plug in your laptop, etc
- Flag strategy: Create a note-taking strategy by using arrow flags to mark important points. Color coding flags can help you visualize how well you comprehend the material. Colors can help represent topics such as key concepts, questions, and references.
- Study in chunks: Keep your mind fresh by studying in 30-minute increments. This will help you focus and allow you to be intentional with your studies.
- Teach it: Explaining course material to others helps you assess how much you understand the concepts you are learning in class. It is also a great way to measure how much of the material you are retaining.
- Dress smart: Despite not having to worry about a dress code, dress in a way that sends a signal to yourself that you are working.
Memory & Attention*
We cannot continue to advance our knowledge in any subject if we don’t remember the basic components on which that knowledge is building.
- Don't cram for tests: Information crammed into your head right before a test does not get embedded in your long-term memory in reliable ways. As a result, you will find it harder to build your understanding as the course progresses.
- Watch out for illusions of fluency: An illusion of fluency is the sense that you know a concept that you don’t actually understand. To avoid this illusion, self-test yourself on material at different intervals, with notes and readings put away.
- Create mnemonics or memory palaces: Use mnemonics or memory palaces to help with remembering lists. For example, many math students use the mnemonic "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" (PEMDAS) to remember the order of operations for complex equations – Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract. You can create your own mnemonics or memory palaces to remember all sorts of things. Not sure how to do that? Come to an ARC workshop on memory!
- Find time to exercise and sleep: Exercise and sleep both improve memory, so make sure you’re getting plenty of both!
- Use "do not disturb" signs and website blockers: If your phone or the internet on your computer distracts you, use "do not disturb” signs and website blockers (e.g., Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker). Also consider putting your phone in a different room or at least out of sight. Research shows that productivity levels go down the closer we are to our phones (even if they are turned off!).
- Use a distraction pad: Keep a notepad by your study space. If your mind wanders and you think of something important, write it down on your distraction pad. Knowing you can come back to that thought later can help you focus on one task at a time, increasing the likelihood you’ll follow it through
*Source: Memory and Attention, Academic Resource Center at Havard University
Did you know that Wichita State has a Student Success Office? Their office helps students maximize their academic potential and reach their personal goals through a range of programs and services, regardless of personal background.